. >>> senate majority leader harry reid is removing a proposed assault ban rifle -- assault rifle ban from new gun legislation that he will send to the full senate for consideration. reid says keeping the assault weapons ban would have guaranteed a republican filibuster to block the measure. >> i'm not going to try to put something on the floor that won't succeed. i want something that will succeed. i think the worst of all worlds may be to bring something to the floor and it dies there. >> reid says that senator dianne feinstein could introduce her proposed ban on assault weapons as an amendment to new gun legislation in order to at least get a vote on that. >>> and new shocking sex and drug allegations against the man who used to be the voice of elmo. the 24-year-old is suing kevin clash alleging he smoked crystal meth while engaging in sexual activity with stephens. the lawsuit alleges he also gave sheldon poppers as a sexual aid. that generally refers to capsule that's give users a rush when broken and inhaled. his attorney calls the suit meritless and barred by the statute of lim